Tag: Newborn Care

Children born in the colder months of the year can almost immediately contract a cold or other illness. As unbelievable as it seems, even tiny babies can become sick. What should you, as a new parent, be on the lookout for?

Understand that babies will come down with between six to twelve illnesses a year. From stuffy noses to colds to teething woes, it seems there’s always something waiting around the corner for your baby.

There are ways to protect your little ones right from the start. Looking out for colds and other viruses should be part of your newborn care for them. So, just what kinds of illnesses should you be looking for with a new baby?

Winter brings along its own set of sicknesses that everyone seems to fall prey to. It seems you can’t go far without running into people who are coughing and feeling sick, whether that’s at work or at home. Some of the illnesses to look out for are:

Colds

Flu

Ear infections

Croup

Pinkeye

Chicken pox

Measles

Because infants have not been immunized at birth, they are susceptible to such illnesses as measles and chicken pox early on. Other viruses such as colds and ear infections can be very common in little ones.

Take Action with Good Habits, Regular Doctors Visits, and Careful Attention

As children go from babies to toddlers, there are ways to help protect them from illnesses. Good hygiene for kids is something you should be practicing with them at all times. Hand washing, sterilizing toys, getting enough sleep, and eating healthily will go a long way towards fending off what everyone else seems to be catching.

There are other things to think about as well. Often a bad respiratory illness can lead to asthma. What is asthma, you might be asking? Asthma is a respiratory condition which causes difficulty in breathing and a tightness in the chest. It can be brought on by illness, stress, or allergies. One of the most recognized symptoms of asthma is wheezing, where there is a whistling sound on breathing in and breathing out.

If your child isn’t feeling well, and you don’t know what to do, call for a child doctor visit in Phoenix, AZ today. Let our Pediatrix doctors assure you that everything will be okay.

Skin is the largest of our sensory organs, developing at less than 8 weeks inside the womb. It develops far sooner than other sensory body parts, such as eyes and ears, meaning we are all born with a pretty highly developed sense of touch. For this reason, touch is an extremely important component of newborn care, providing huge benefits to almost all systems of the body, including circulatory, digestive, endocrine, nervous and respiratory.

Throughout the years, a number of studies have been completed on touch as it relates to infant health. Happy Valley pediatricians would like to share some of the specific health benefits found in such studies below:

Increase in production of serotonin

Decrease in cortisol levels

Better sleep

Alleviation of colic

Improved immune system function

Reduction of eczema symptoms

Improved behavioral, physiological and social development

To ensure that your baby receives the great health benefits associated with touch, such as those listed above, Happy Valley pediatricians recommend that you affectionately hold and cradle them often as part of your overall plan for newborn care.

While babies receive many health benefits from touch, it is important to note that parents do as well. Parents that hold and touch their babies often have reported lower levels of stress and depression as well as a stronger connection with their new family members.

If you are interested in learning more about newborn care and infant care in Phoenix to improve the total health of your baby, visit with the expert pediatricians at Pediatrix. Our physicians specializing in pediatrics in Phoenix AZ pride themselves on providing the highest level of specialized care to each and every child that comes into the office. We stay up-to-date on the latest treatments and procedures, and are able to provide you with important information as well as a number of different health resources. To schedule an appointment, call Pediatrix at (602) 866-0550 or contact us online.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death among babies under a year old in the United States, with 90 percent of cases occurring in babies less than six months old. It is incredibly scary for parents as it often occurs without any kind of warning sign.

Medical experts are still unsure of the exact cause of SIDS, but some commonalities have been identified in newborns diagnosed with it. Many medical experts, such as physicians specializing in pediatrics in Phoenix AZ, attribute SIDS to underlying health issues, such as abnormal heart function, breathing, or blood pressure. Another factor that medical professionals specializing in infant care in Phoenix and other areas have identified is adverse newborn care, specifically sleeping arrangements.

Numerous studies have been conducted on bed sharing as it relates to SIDS with a majority concluding that it is a dangerous newborn care practice that increases risk. Most physicians specializing in newborn care and pediatrics in Phoenix AZ will advise against bed sharing for safety purposes, especially in the following circumstances:

The baby is under the age of 3 months old

One or both parents are smokers

One or both parents have taken sedatives or other substances

More than three people (including the baby) are sharing a bed

The sleeping surface or bedding is very soft

To best protect your baby from suffocating or developing SIDS, Happy Valley pediatricians and other pediatricians throughout the country would highly recommend that you do not share a bed with your newborn.

If you are interested in learning more about proper newborn care for your child, visit with the expert pediatricians at Pediatrix. Our physicians and staff are highly experienced and knowledgeable about all aspects of child health, and are able to provide the most excellent, specialized care. Additionally, we are always available to answer any and all questions you may have about the health, safety and wellbeing of your precious little one. To make an appointment with Pediatrix, call (602) 866-0550 or contact us online.

Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip joint develops in the wrong shape, or if the hip joint is dislocated, leading to an increased force on the ball and socket joint. As the cartilage and labrum of the joint wear down, the individual will begin to experience mobility issues.

Happy Valley pediatricians and other pediatricians throughout the country most commonly see hip dysplasia cases in the following situations:

Breech. The legs of breech babies are often contorted in the womb, which increases the risk factor of hip dysplasia.

Females. The hip anatomy of females is much more prone to developing hip dysplasia as compared to males.

First Born. The womb in a first pregnancy is usually at its tightest, meaning the baby isn’t allowed as much room as its following siblings.

Low amniotic fluid. When there is a low level of amniotic fluid, there is less room for the baby to develop in the womb.

In addition to the above, medical professionals and researchers specializing in newborn care have found another possible cause of hip dysplasia: improper swaddling. Few parents realize that the hips of babies continue to develop following birth, meaning proper swaddling techniques are of extreme importance. To ensure that you are properly swaddling your baby, follow this list of steps from professionals in infant care in Phoenix:

Fold back one corner of a soft, square cloth to establish a straight edge.

Place your baby on top of the cloth with the fabric hitting right at the top of his or her shoulders.

First situate the left arm down next to the body, wrapping the cloth over that arm as well as the chest. Continue to wrap the fabric, pulling it under the right side of the body of the baby.

Next, place the right arm down, and continue wrapping the cloth around that arm and chest as done with the left arm.

Pull the cloth completely under the baby to keep the wrap tightly in place.

Fold the bottom of the fabric, tucking it carefully behind the baby, with both legs bent upwards outside of the wrap.

Following the above swaddling tips will help to reduce the risk of hip dysplasia in your baby.

To ensure that your baby is developing normally, it is also essential that you visit with a physician in infant and newborn care in Phoenix, such as Pediatrix. One of our qualified professionals in pediactrics in Phoenix AZ will quickly notice any signs of hip dysplasia during regular appointments, and can quickly act to improve the situation. Our pediatricians are also experts in all aspects of newborn care and infant care in Phoenix, and are available to answer questions, give advice and also demonstrate proper newborn care techniques, including swaddling. To make an appointment at our office for pediatrics in Phoenix AZ, call (602) 866-0550 or contact us online.